The "All of the Above" President

In the wake of the Newtown tragedy, President Obama called on Vice President Biden to come up with a ‘comprehensive’ plan to address gun violence and school safety. Putting aside the gun control recommendations as that would require a separate rant, the school safety portion of the plan mirrors other 'comprehensive' plans supported by the president. These plans have helped keep the president in office but worked out less well for everyday people.

On the environment, Obama has supported modest investments in renewable energy technology, while also supporting nuclear energy and "clean" coal. He has allowed drilling in the arctic and will likely fully green-light the Keystone XL pipeline designed to bring unrefined oil from tar sands in Canada to refineries in the US. The limited promotion of renewable energy without a significant push to divest from fossil fuels is like pointing to a speed bump while flooring it over the climate cliff.

On immigration, the President will soon unveil his comprehensive immigration reform (CIR) plan. It will likely include limited amnesty for a few, guest worker programs for more and lots more enforcement. Obama has already presided over record numbers of deportations, the targeting of immigration reform activists and the break-up of families across the country. Those who think CIR will address the plight of immigrant communities (often here as a result of the catastrophic climate and foreign policy of the US), should see CIR 1996 or CIR 1986.

Liberal and progressive politicians and advocates are too quick to pat themselves on the back when their recommendations are included in these "grand bargains." Obama’s 'bargains' have geared government resources toward reinforcing the decimation of civil liberties since 9/11 rather than investing in the building blocks of truly safe and sustainable communities. "All of the above" is a grand bargain for business interests pushing for drilling, surveillance systems, and detention centers at the expense of people and the planet.

This piece was reprinted by Truthout with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.

Zachary Norris is the Executive Director of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, a nonprofit based in Oakland, California committed to advancing racial and economic justice for low-income communities of color by ending mass incarceration, state violence and criminalization. He is also a 2015 Opportunity Agenda fellow.

The "All of the Above" President

In the wake of the Newtown tragedy, President Obama called on Vice President Biden to come up with a ‘comprehensive’ plan to address gun violence and school safety. Putting aside the gun control recommendations as that would require a separate rant, the school safety portion of the plan mirrors other 'comprehensive' plans supported by the president. These plans have helped keep the president in office but worked out less well for everyday people.

On the environment, Obama has supported modest investments in renewable energy technology, while also supporting nuclear energy and "clean" coal. He has allowed drilling in the arctic and will likely fully green-light the Keystone XL pipeline designed to bring unrefined oil from tar sands in Canada to refineries in the US. The limited promotion of renewable energy without a significant push to divest from fossil fuels is like pointing to a speed bump while flooring it over the climate cliff.

On immigration, the President will soon unveil his comprehensive immigration reform (CIR) plan. It will likely include limited amnesty for a few, guest worker programs for more and lots more enforcement. Obama has already presided over record numbers of deportations, the targeting of immigration reform activists and the break-up of families across the country. Those who think CIR will address the plight of immigrant communities (often here as a result of the catastrophic climate and foreign policy of the US), should see CIR 1996 or CIR 1986.

Liberal and progressive politicians and advocates are too quick to pat themselves on the back when their recommendations are included in these "grand bargains." Obama’s 'bargains' have geared government resources toward reinforcing the decimation of civil liberties since 9/11 rather than investing in the building blocks of truly safe and sustainable communities. "All of the above" is a grand bargain for business interests pushing for drilling, surveillance systems, and detention centers at the expense of people and the planet.

This piece was reprinted by Truthout with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.

Zachary Norris is the Executive Director of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, a nonprofit based in Oakland, California committed to advancing racial and economic justice for low-income communities of color by ending mass incarceration, state violence and criminalization. He is also a 2015 Opportunity Agenda fellow.